Ballcocks



4 sh68ts heet 2 Jan. 10, 1956 G. E, HANSEN fia BALLCOCKS Filed Aug. 7, 1951 I 1 if 39 I 5 i i L :57 a: 3x1. zz W 36 M.

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BALLCOCKS Filed Aug. '7, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Gear 257 United States Patent() F BALLCOCKS George E. Hansen, Eimwood Park, Ill., assignor to Crane Co., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of iliinois Application August 7, 1951, Serial No. 240,706

2 Claims. (Cl. 137--437) This invention pertains to an improvement in ballcocks. More particularly, it is concerned with a novel type of valve structure and actuating mechanism useful in connection with tank filling devices or the like.

One of the more important objects of this invention is to provide for a valve structure in which the customary valve refill mechanism is capable of such high degree of flexibility in rotative movement, say of the order of 360 degrees within the tank, and in which the ballcock valve seat can easily be renewed from the top and without necessity for removing the valve body from the tank or resorting, as customary, to time taking expensive disassemblies.

A further object is to provide for a type of construction in which the filler means for directing the inlet flow to the tank comprises an'outer sleeve of the valve proper which may be either stationary or it may be moved upwardly and downwardly with the plunger, thereby to provide a muflling as well as an accurate directional action on the closing-off of the valve.

A further object is to provide for a ballcock construction which permits the employment of a refill tube in which the latter member is either a part of the valve closure or plunger or is a part of a pivotal pin which cooperates in the operation of the plunger in any one of its several forms.

A further object in the latter connection is to provide for a structure in which by axial rotation of the ends of the pivotal pin, variable refill flow rates can easily or conveniently be obtained.

A further object is to provide for a structure which is comparatively economical to produce and which can easily be adiusted, repaired, orreplaced expeditiously with reference to the usual valve parts constituting a ballcock and with a minimum amount of cost, therefore, with the avoidance of past expensive shutdowns.

Gther objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent upon proceeding with the following specification read in light of the accompanying drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional assembly view of one form of ballcock embodying'my invention in closed or seated position.

2 is a fragmentary assembly view taken at right angles to that section shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional assembly view of the device shown in Fig. 1, while in the open or unseated position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. l. V

Fig. 5 is a sectional assembly view of; modified form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View taken at right angles to that section shown in Fig. 5. V

Fig. 7 is a view of the valve structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6 in the open or unseated position.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 83 of Fig. 5.

2,730,121 Patented Jan. 10, 1956 Fig. 9 is a sectional assembly view of a further modified form of structure.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view of the structure at right angles to that section shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a further modified structure capable of application to all forms of the invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Directing attention to Fig. l, the ballcock, generally designated 1, is mounted in the usual manner in the bottom of a tank 2, as indicated in the dotted lines, the tank having the usual bottom aperture 3 through which the conventional threaded shank 4 extends as shown. The latter described structure is normally held by means of a nut (not shown) engaging the threads 4, whereby to make a fluid-tight or leakproof connection at S with the lower surface portion or floor of the tank 2 as shown. The fioor flange 6 is threaded, as at 7, to receive the vertically extending threaded tubular or standpipe 8 serving as the inlet supply as indicated by the arrow, and is mounted in threadedly sealed relation to the floor flange 6, as shown.

At the upper end portion, the tubular fluid inlet member 8 is also threaded, as at 9, to receive the casing or cage it having the oppositely disposed ports 12 and 13 for purposes hereinafter referred to in more detail. Substantially immediately above the threaded portion 9, the interior of the cage 11 is threaded at 14 to receive the seat member 15 received within chamber 16 of the cage as shown, which seat member may on occasion be made integral with the casing 11, if desired. Preferably, for purpose of eifecting attachment as at 17, the inlet throat below the seat may be polygonally formed to receive a wrench in assembling and removing the seat member, preferably rounded as at 18, but not necessarily, and against which the closure or plunger member, generally designated 19, is positioned in the seated position of the valve. As shown at 21, the plunger is slightly reduced in diameter at its lowermost end portion for reasons hereinafter more clearly set forth and its preferably fitted with the seat contact member 22, usually of a suitable composition to bear against the rounded or beaded form of annular seat 18 referred to. The closure contact portion 22 may be held in place by any suitable method, either press-fitted or cemented in place, and is relatively snugly fitted, as at 23, within the casing or cage 11 for slidable reciprocating movement therewithin. An O-ring 24 is received within the'groove 25 on the closure member to allow for pressure sealing against. any leakage otherwise occurring past the plunger 19 during the course of said reciprocating movement, as hereinafter explained.

At the upper end of the casing 11, a flanged portion 26 is provided above which is arranged the bifurcated section 27 (see Fig. 2) to receive the transversely extending pin 28, and above which section is journaled the float rod connection 29 also bifurcated as at 31 to project on both sides thereof to engage the upper shoulder limits of the neck 32 of the plunger 19. At the upper end of the closure plunger member 19, the enlarged portion 33 is internally threaded as at 34 whereby to receive the usual tank refill tube 35 threadedly attached thereto as indicated. The plunger 19 is substantially of cylindrical form so as to enable it to be easily rotatable and thereby also permit it to be rotatably positioned with its refill tube 35 in any suitable arcuate position when placed in the tank and viewed from above. Depending from the flange 26 and preferably in leakproof relation thereto, a tubular sleeve 36 is mounted which extends downwardly past the oppositely disposed inlet supply ports 12 'ice and 13, as more clearly shown in Fig. 1 and continuing downward to extend in relatively close proximity to the hub. 6. of the floor flange, generally. designated. 1,. in. the.

manner shown.

It should be noted that therefill tube 35 is supplied by divertinga portion the liquid entering beneath the seat contact 22, as indicated by the arrows, the liquid passing around the annular clearance formed by the reduced portion above referred to as at 21. This clearance is designated 37- and is shown more-clearly in the sectional view of Fig. 4, the water entering the transversely extcnding aperture or passage 38 and thence moving upwardly intothe vertically disposed central passage 39, into the chamber 41 and the interior of the tube 351 for the usual refill of the tank 2, supplementing, of course, the main supply of water to the tank as hereinafter referred to.

It will be apparent that upon the tilting action of the float rod connector 29- taking place, as actuated by the float rod 42, which moves in response to a float, not shown, a comparatively larger volume of water will flow outwardly' past the seat 18, following the course of the arrowsthrough the oppositely disposed transverse passages 12 and 13 and thence downwardly into the interior of the sleeve 36 to enter the tank proper just above the hub 6 to thereby fill the tank to a predetermined depth. The float rod 42, rising and falling in accordance with the usual provision of the float (not shown) will regulate the level of the water within the tank. As to the amount of water entering the refill passages 38, 39, and 41, the amount of back pressure, that is the resistance to the water passing downwardly into the interior of the tubing 6, will have a significant bearing, of course, upon the amount of water passing up'wlthin and around the annular chamber 37 (Fig. 4) between the reduced end of the plunger and the member 11 and into the cross passage 38 and outwardly through the. vertical aperture 39. This back pressure condition may be easily adjusted additionally by merely reducing or enlarging the inside diameter of the sleeve 36 as desired or altering similar dimensions of the inlet tube 8.

However, in the latter connection, as shown in the modification of Fig. ll, it would be unnecessary to actually change the diametral dimensions of the members referred to. Instead, the sleeve 36 by simply arranging for the reception of a snugly fitted coil spring 43. may be used, whereby the amount of water discharging downwardly into the sleeve 36 is subjected tov a flow impeder action, while, at the same time, imparting to. the entering water a desirable whirling motion created by the coils of the spring 43. Thus, the amount of water discharging outwardly through the refill tube 35 may be easily adjusted or regulated simply in this manner also without substantial expense.

Referring now to the modified form shown in Fig. 5 in general, it. will be apparent that this design is quite similar to that above described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. However, in the instant modified construction, the outer sleeve member 44 functions so as to be reciprocally movable concurrently with the same move.- ment of the plunger closure member generally designated 45, and this will be readily understandable by comparing the closed or seated position of Figs. 5 and 6 with the open or unseated position of the valvev shown in Fig. 7. To provide for such result, it is necessary that the sleeve 44 and the plunger closure member 45 be connected in order to move together reciprocatingly relative to the casing 49.

Thus, in this construction, as the float rod connection member 29 is pivotally movable by virtue of the mounting shown and previously described in connection with the other figures, the pin 28 is used having a connection similar to the structure in Fig. i. As the plunger 45 is lifted since it is connected by means of the transverse opening 46 to the pin 47, loosely mounted for reasons hereinafter stated, the sleeve 44 will also be lifted upward, while the cage member generally designated 49 will remain axially stationary by reason of its attachment, as

at 5.1,. to. the inlet. ipe it connected. to. the. an 2.. In the. same manner as described in connection with Fig. l, the plunger closure at its lower end portion is provided with the seat contact 22 attached in a similar manner. The plunger closure member has an end reduced portion as at 52 functioning in the same manner as the clearance 37 described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive and shown more clearly in Fig. 4. Thus, in the present modification, the seat member 53 is mounted in leakproof relation to the inlet supply by means of the gasket 54 interposed between the cage or casing 49 and the inlet supply pipe 8. The clearance space or annular chamber at 55, as shown more clearly in Fig. 6, allows for relative movement referred to between the fixed member 49 and the concurrently movable members 44 and 45, while permitting the liquid to enter between the outside diameter of the pin bolt 47 relatively loosely mounted as previously referred; to and the inside. diameter of the transverse passage; 46, into the vertical passage 56 and thence. into, the; chamber 41 and outwardly into the interior of the refill tube 35. As. shown more clearly in Fig. 6, at its upper end portion, the cage 49 is bifurcated as at 57. Thus, as shown more clearly in Fig. 7, with the valve in the wide.- open position, the sleeve 4,4 will be moved upwardly until it contacts the lower shoulder 61 in the latter mentioned or full open position of the valve. It will be apparent, that a simple structure thus, provides for movability of the sleeve with the Plunger member, While, at the same time, having a simple and, accurate means for providing sufiicient back pressure to allow for the desired refill rate into the tank: 2. The reciprocally movable members 44 and 45 are. fluid-sealed at 58 and 59 by means of the O-rings shown, the. latter member being received in the groove 60.

Directing attention to Figs. 9 and 10, here the modified construction, is also. similar to that of Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive. However, in this structure, as a further modification expressly of the structure in Figs. 5 to 7, the refill tube supply means or passages, are provided within the pivotal pin operating the plunger and, therefore, as hereinafter made clear, bysimply turning the pin as desired, different refill. flow rates. to the tank can be easily obtained. Since the structure dilfers only in that the refill pin actuating the outer sleeve 44 and. the plunger 45, the description, here. will be. directed to the novel arrangement of the said pivoting pin. In this; structure, the. plunger closure member instead of being apertured (39 and 56) in its upper portion, it is. made. solid as at 62, and, then also instead, the. hollow plunger pin 63 is formed with a passage. 65. communicating at one end limit with the clearance provided by' the annular chamber 66, thereby allowing the water within the space. 67 of the, sleeve 44 to pass into the. channel and outwardly into the threaded chamber 68'. In all other respects, the operation of this improvement structure is the same as that described in connection with Figs. 5. to 8, inclusive.

It will be clear, of course, that the specific embodiments shown may vary substantially from that described herein and, therefore, the scope of the invention should be measured by the appended claims read in light of the prior art.

Iclaim:

1. In a ballcock,a water inlet pipe, a transversely ported casing mounted thereon, a vertically extending tube depending from said; casing and surrounding said inlet pipe and being spaced therefrom to provide a water outlet chamber, a plunger type of closure member reciprocally movable in said casing and snugly received therein except for an annular clearance adjacent the transverse ports of said casing, the said plunger closure member also being transversely ported adjacent the annular clearance between the plunger closure member and casing, a central port in the plunger closure member communicating with the transversely ported. portion of said closure member, a refill tube connected to said central port, pivotally mounted means on the casing engaging the said plunger closure member to move the latter member reciprocally, and means provided by a lower peripheral portion of said casing immediately below its transversely ported portion between said tube and the inlet pipe to restrict flow into the tank and increase pressure of flow through the central port of the plunger closure member.

2. In a ballcock, a water intake pipe, a refill tube therefor, a transversely ported casing mounted thereon, a vertically extending tube depending from said casing and surrounding said inlet pipe and being spaced therefrom to provide a Water outlet chamber, a plunger type of closure member contacting a seat in the casing and reciprocally movable in said casing while snugly received therein except for an annular clearance provided between the closure member and easing adjacent the transverse ports of said casing, the said plunger member also being transversely ported in a plane above the seat contact with said casing and adjacent the annular clearance between the plunger and casing, a central port in the plunger connected with the transverse ported portion thereof and communicating with the refill tube, pivotally mounted means engaging the said plunger member to move the latter member reciprocally, and fluid sealing means interposed between said plunger member and said casing below the pivotally mounted means, the said plunger member being movable axially relative to the casing and tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 457,005 McNeil Aug. 4, 1891 914,902 Walterthum Mar. 9, 1909 1,042,775 English Oct. 29, 1912 1,159,967 Lindgren et al. Nov. 9, 1915 1,252,701 Jones Ian. 8, 1918 1,257,231 Hill Feb. 19, 1918 1,274,924 Michaels et al. Aug. 6, 1918 1,391,860 Sherwood Sept. 27, 1921 1,497,796 Sherwood June 17, 1924 2,299,707 Svirsky Oct. 20, 1942 2,318,236 Layton May 4, 1943 2,367,951 Lewis et al. Jan. 23, 1945 2,598,195 Smith May 27, 1952 2,623,537 Vigliotti Dec. 30, 1952 

